Interviews – Nigel Dugdalehttp://nigeldugdale.ie
Limerick News Blog Wed, 14 Mar 2018 14:57:54 +0000en-GBhourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.7.9http://nigeldugdale.ie/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/nigeldugdale-1-150x150.jpgInterviews – Nigel Dugdalehttp://nigeldugdale.ie
3232My love affair with Boojum has brought me homehttp://nigeldugdale.ie/2018/03/14/boojum-limerick-story/
http://nigeldugdale.ie/2018/03/14/boojum-limerick-story/#respondWed, 14 Mar 2018 14:51:32 +0000http://nigeldugdale.ie/?p=2251Susan Angley walks up to me the Boojum restaurant in the heart of Limerick city. With a beaming smile it’s clear she is proud of this place. And rightfully so. As a born and bred Limerick girl, she has found herself acting in the role of Area Manager for Republic of Ireland West at a …

]]>Susan Angley walks up to me the Boojum restaurant in the heart of Limerick city. With a beaming smile it’s clear she is proud of this place. And rightfully so. As a born and bred Limerick girl, she has found herself acting in the role of Area Manager for Republic of Ireland West at a time when Boojum’s new Limerick investment is proving to be a hit in her home town.

One could say that fate had a role to play in Susan’s Boojum journey.

Susan Angley, pictured in Boojum, which has been open in Patrick Street for a little over a month Picture: Gareth Williams

Originally from Woodview in Limerick Susan studied social care in LIT. Her graduation came at the worst possible time. Ireland’s boom had ended and the HSE were forced to issue an embargo on the hiring of any new staff.

“I suppose at the time I could have explored other avenues, but my field of interest was specifically in residential care, an area where work was really difficult to find”, she tells me.

After spending some time working in the food industry in Limerick, it was matters of the heart that introduced Susan to the Boojum experience.

“My partner had found a job in Galway working for Oracle. I found myself commuting up and down from Limerick regularly. It was during these visits that I discovered Boojum for the first time.

“Every time I ate there I was blown away by the staff. The food was exceptional, but the staff consistently stood out for me”, Susan says.

“Boojum made me question and assess my own customer manner. The effect the Boojum staff had on my day every time I visited was so refreshing that I decided to write an email to Boojum telling them of my positive experience. A few weeks later I received an email thanking me for my feedback but thought nothing more of it”.

Eventually Susan decided that a Galway move might be best. Her plan was to use the new location as a means of re-starting her search for social care work when suddenly a job came up with Boojum. She applied and a few weeks later was called to interview.

“At the interview I was asked a question along the lines of ‘have you eaten here often?’. I told them of my experience and the fact that I had been inspired to send them an email. Suddenly there was silence at the other side of the interview desk”.

Susan’s email had been noted. So much so that it was circulated across the company.

“There were prizes given to staff; the email was pasted in staff areas around the country. Suddenly here I was interviewing for the role of General Manager for the very same store that had given me such a great experience”.

Susan got the job in November 2014. She received what she describes as ‘the most incredible 5-week training programme in Dublin’. Suddenly what had been a search for interim work began to become something more serious.

“My career path was taking a sudden but welcome turn”, she says. “My experience of Boojum in Galway not only made me believe in Boojum as a brand but also convinced me that I was on to something good. I suddenly found myself making the move to Galway”.

Susan’s clear passion for the Boojum brand is palpable. She keeps noting three traits as the catalyst for her life changing career move.

“Boojum is about honest, fresh food. It’s friendly. It’s chilled out”, she says. “Our commitment to freshness is second to none. This fresh ethos is why I’m working for the company”.

Boojum doesn’t use freezers. Doesn’t do microwaves. All staff learn about the food, how it is prepared and how the slightest deviation can affect the taste the company strives to maintain. The staff ethos is fostered from the top down.

“I have never worked anywhere like it before”, she notes. “Despite now being considered a big Irish food brand it still has that small family owned feel about it”, she says.

Boojum’s David Maxwell

“You don’t find many places where the MD is open to sit and have a glass of wine with the parents of a staff member. David Maxwell is a real leader. I’d have no problem giving him a call if ever I needed advice or if something was concerning me. Equally David would have no problem taking that call. If you work for our team, at any level, you will feel part of the Boojum family”.

The Irish palate has undergone something of a sea change over the past decade. Gone are the days of the meat and two veg; bacon and cabbage approach to Irish eating habits. Susan puts this down to the fact that Irish people are more travelled than ever before.

“I can even see it in my own home over recent years where Mum and Dad would arrive home with shopping bags full of foodie bits that never were thought of when I was a kid. There’s a huge movement in Ireland when it comes to being open to trying new tastes or styles of food and dining experiences”, she adds.

“Look at Boojum. We don’t do the traditional ‘table for two’ style of dining. This is communal seating. This is a about a social dining experience”.

The Boojum story is remarkable. Since being founded by John and Karen Blisard in Belfast back just 10 years ago, the company now boasts 6 stores in Dublin, 5 restaurants in Dublin as well as more recent additions to Galway, Cork and now Limerick. In 2015 the brand was acquired by Andrew and David Maxwell supported by a private equity firm. So, what makes it work?

“I encourage people to just try it once. Once you set foot inside the door you will get it. We put a huge emphasis on hiring the right people. We have one simple rule – to work here you must be ‘sound’. After that we can train you in any role. The impression that the staff make on our customers is so important.”.

Boojum’s Limerick restaurant. Photo: True Media

This emphasis on staff training shines through when you experience a Boojum restaurant. Last year the group came 11th in the Medium Sized Business category of the Great Places to Work awards last year. This year Boojum are entering the awards again. The growth of the company has been such that they have now been promoted to the Large Workplace category.

“Our team are constantly looking a what makes Boojum a great place to work and to identify areas where we can consistently improve. If we can achieve a sense of contentment in the workplace then that immediately is reflected in the customer experience”.

The Boojum menu is small but is designed to allow our customers to design a meal to suit their own personal taste. For some, the first visit to Boojum might be slightly daunting. You are presented with a 4-step menu. A slick preparation operation will walk you through the steps and suddenly you find yourself at a pay point with a freshly prepared meal ready to go.

“Our staff are trained to recognise a repeat customer who knows the ropes of Boojum. Equally a new customer will be guided through the process to ensure the experience is a rewarding one. If you are not sure – just ask us for a taste”, Susan says.

The new Limerick store is in many ways a sign of the wheel turning full circle for Susan Angley. When she left Limerick to start working for Boojum the city was coming to the end of its year as National City of Culture in 2014. So has she noticed a change in the city?

“Since coming back to help with Boojum Limerick set-up I can certainly see a resurgence of life in the city centre. What has struck me the most is the fact that I realised just how proud I am of my home town. With that comes huge pride in being part of the team who are bringing Boojum to my home town”, Susan says.

Queues forming at Boojum Limerick during its recent opening

The Boojum team have been particularly touched by the welcome they have received in Limerick. In the lead up to our opening some of the head office team were based in Limerick for a few days.

“One evening we were getting a taxi through town”, Susan tells me. “When the taxi driver realised we were there to open a new restaurant, he waved the fare. That simply wouldn’t happen anywhere else”.

Boojum has developed a huge student fan base in Belfast, Dublin, Galway and Cork. Since opening in Limerick this key demographic of the Boojum clientele has proved to be loyal.

Susan notes that with so many choices now out there in the Limerick food market they have worked very hard to attract students into the city centre.

“As we develop customer loyalty with these students we also hope that other city centre business benefit from this new footfall. There are students who attend UL for four years and only ever experience Limerick city late at night when they hit the popular clubs. The Boojum presence has the potential to be a key student attraction”, she adds.

Having also been part of the team who opened the Boojum restaurant in Cork last year, Susan confirms that the reaction to the new Limerick restaurant has taken the company by surprise. To the point that they company had to transfer extra staff from other stores to help meet the demand.

“I am so proud that we have been given such a welcome and really look forward to playing my part here in the coming years. I can see myself moving back to Limerick by the end of the year, so in a sense, my love affair with Boojum has brought me home!”

]]>http://nigeldugdale.ie/2018/03/14/boojum-limerick-story/feed/0The brain drain caused by poor public transport – a Limerick case studyhttp://nigeldugdale.ie/2017/03/30/brain-drain-caused-poor-public-transport-limerick-case-study/
http://nigeldugdale.ie/2017/03/30/brain-drain-caused-poor-public-transport-limerick-case-study/#respondThu, 30 Mar 2017 14:29:43 +0000http://nigeldugdale.ie/?p=1750Earlier in the week, I wrote a piece suggesting that Bus Eireann need to radically rethink their route structure in Limerick city before public transport is anywhere near become the go-to method of transport here. Following the post going on social media I was contacted by Shane Hickey. Shane’s story was one I really wanted …

Following the post going on social media I was contacted by Shane Hickey. Shane’s story was one I really wanted to capture.

Shane on his way to work (by bus) in London

Now based in London, Shane grew up in Cratloe. His secondary education was initially in Dublin but he eventually found himself back in Limerick where he attended Villiers on the North Circular Road.

“I remember in those days, commuting into the city when I was in school was almost impossible as home was over a mile from the Ennis Road Radisson Blu bus stop. The buses were unreliable at best”, he tells me.

Shane went on to study Irish Heritage & Tourism in Cork. After several years of unemployment and temporary jobs he decided to give London a shot and arrived in January 1994.

“I secured a job almost immediately and worked in varying industries until I decided to return to Limerick in January 2003”, he says.

It was around this time that public transport and its availability became crucial part of Shane’s life.

In July 2002 he was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa, a degenerative eye condition, and as a result was forced to give up driving.

Having worked as a travelling sales representative at one stage the diagnosis was a blow. Shane is now for the most part dependent on public transport in order to get around.

“When I returned home in 2003 I moved to Glenbrook on the Old Singland Road as Cratloe was not an option in terms of transport”, he tells me.

“This was not too far from the stop on the Childers Road and was ok for my commute to Castletroy where I worked. However, the buses were so unreliable, I would often have to take a taxi”, he adds.

Shane would regularly finish work at around 4pm and still be waiting for a bus close to 5.30. A guy who is not afraid to take issues on, he was consistently fobbed off by drivers with tales of heavy traffic – excuses in Shane’s opinion.

“I would regularly see three buses arriving at UL at exactly the same time. On another occasion, I was required to be at a meeting in Killarney for 9am one morning, only to find that NO bus was leaving from Limerick that would get you there for that time!”, he remembers.

Shane’s tells me his interactions with various bus drivers were ‘never good’.

“Drivers would get aggressive if you asked why the bus was so late or the last one cancelled. I eventually gave up trying to argue”, he says.

“If a ticket inspector got on a bus, I would immediately query the fictional time table with them and often heard others doing the same. I also queried why Annacotty, most of Dooradoyle and all the estates in Raheen were not served by a bus service other than the one that has existed since the 70s.

The response? Shane was told it would be impossible to implement such changes as the drivers would strike due to a timetable and route change and demand extra money.

Poor public transport – a cause of emigration?

Shane eventually not only gave up arguing but gave up on Limerick as a place where he could live his life comfortably.

“I realised that I would never be able to get around the country easily and moving to Dublin really wasn’t an option so I returned to London where I now work for a legal service provider in Canary Wharf, the main financial district of London”, he says.

Shane’s experience in terms of transport in London is a far removed from what he experienced back home.

“I take various routes to get to work including the tube and the river bus”, he says.

“These are always busy but at least on the tube you never wait more than 3 minutes and the river bus is at least every 30 minutes”.

I ask Shane if he would consider returning to work in Limerick at some point. His response is a sad one.

“I really love Limerick but I don’t see myself ever living there again. I miss it from time to time but one weekend of waiting around for lifts and taxis is enough for me”.

A new home – Shane living happily in London

Shane doesn’t get back home as much as he used to. In fact, it was last weekend that he returned for the first time since his father died back in 2015.

“I did have a blast but it was pricey. I had to pay €30 for a taxi from Shannon to the city centre and this was discounted. Going out to the Crescent was two taxis and another €20. I stayed in a hotel in the city centre to avoid taxis altogether”, he says.

So what would Shane’s top three solutions be if he were in a position to address the public transport system in Limerick?

“I would take away all the complications on the timetable. You would need a masters to figure the things out. If it is complicated for a regular user can you imagine what it’s like for a tourist?”, he says.

“I would also expand the routes to include all the new estates as well as starting to run the busses earlier for people who work in Raheen but live in Dooradoyle or Caherdavin”.

“Finally I would try to ensure that the expensive new “bus arriving” signs are matched up with the bus actually arriving! They can do this in London with 30,000 buses, why can’t they do this with the 20 or so in Limerick?!”.

My final question for Shane is futile considering the conversation previous but I ask him – does he feel the Irish bus strike is in any way justified?

“No, the bus strike is greed”, he responds.

“They’ve seen what the Dublin Bus and Luas drivers were able to achieve and they want the same. Bus Eireann has never been run for the benefit of the travelling public but for the benefit of the employees of the firm. This dates back decades and the only solution is to let the business fail and sell the routes to private companies (without public money being used)”.

What hits me most about Shane’s story is the fact that he was forced to become a public transport user due to his eye conditions. His experiences certainly don’t give confidence to those who might advocate for public transport to become the transport mode of choice in years to come.

The word that seems to stick out the most for me in this debate is the word ‘service’. I look up its definition:

Service: the action of helping or doing work for someone.

Bus Eireann certainly didn’t help Shane in recent years and as a result Limerick has lost a young, educated member of our community.

]]>http://nigeldugdale.ie/2017/03/30/brain-drain-caused-poor-public-transport-limerick-case-study/feed/0Limerick Fringe aims to stimulate audience development in cityhttp://nigeldugdale.ie/2017/01/26/limerick-fringe-aims-stimulate-audience-development-city/
http://nigeldugdale.ie/2017/01/26/limerick-fringe-aims-stimulate-audience-development-city/#respondThu, 26 Jan 2017 17:06:25 +0000http://nigeldugdale.ie/?p=1614The new Limerick Fringe series of events was officially launched last night at the George Hotel on O’Connell St. Limerick Fringe is a new vibrant, multi-genre performance based event that will take place across a number of locations in Limerick from the 30th March until April 1st. I took some time to chat with three …

]]>The new Limerick Fringe series of events was officially launched last night at the George Hotel on O’Connell St. Limerick Fringe is a new vibrant, multi-genre performance based event that will take place across a number of locations in Limerick from the 30th March until April 1st.

I took some time to chat with three of the Fringe organising team recently.

The idea for Limerick Fringe came over a few coffees over the course of last year.

Simon Thompson, a well-known clown, actor and director – had been touring with the third part of his popular Clown Noir trilogy which took him to numerous Fringe events across the UK last summer.

” When I returned to Limerick I had a think about what I had just experienced and started chatting with my partner Eva (Birdthistle). We both agreed that Limerick was perfectly placed to host a Fringe experience of a similar scale”, he tells me.

“The vibe of those Fringe events was very artist-focussed. They were friendly events. You found yourself engaging with other artists, sharing experiences and skills.

It felt like it was a community of artists coming together in a fun, accessible environment. But most importantly it was accessible to audiences”, Simon adds.

Thompson tells me that for a long time, he had mused over the audience development conundrum he noticed in Limerick, especially for non-traditional type performance.

“People are curious but are they curious enough to spend their money? Do they want to see something non-traditional in a traditional space? These were the questions that kept going through my head”, he says.

Simon, Eva, Shane and Fiona

Eva and Simon discussed it and then opened the discussion to a wider group of friends. Those friends included the voice and dance artist, pianist, and arts/event manager Fiona Marie Booth who Simon knew for some time from UL.

The Fringe group also comprises Gearóid O’hAllmhurain (aka Rg Allen) who works as Technical Manager at Dance Limerick, Shane Vaughan who is well-known locally as the driver of the popular Stanzas poetry group and freelance illustrator and designer Rosanne Hayes.

Once the team was complete it didn’t take long for a decision to be made to simply roll with the idea.

The resulting Limerick Fringe has a very simple vision. The team strive ‘…to be an internationally acclaimed fringe event and professional resource, that stimulates, educates and develops audiences and artistic communities’.

In creating Limerick Fringe, the organising team didn’t try to reinvent the wheel.

“We took a model that has been proved to work – the Canadian Fringe model. This model takes open submissions after which a team then score each submission individually and from those scores comes a programme of events”, Simon notes.

Therefore, it is important to note that Limerick Fringe is not a curated festival. In fact, ‘festival’ is a term the guys are keen to avoid.

Limerick Fringe marketing materials – photo: Pat Browne

“We didn’t select anything individually”, Fiona Marie Booth is keen to stress. “We simply took our submissions and programmed our events based on the interest we had. We were blown away by the level of interest in the event from the moment we put a call out for entries.

The number of submissions we received far outweighed our expectations and as a result, the level of standard our audiences can expect in year 1 is something we are very proud of”, she adds.

The entries in this year’s event include local Limerick acts, other Irish-based performers, the UK, Canada, Australia. In fact, almost one third of the entire event line-up is UK based, a testament to the networking opportunities offered at the UK-based Fringe events Simon Thompson attended last year.

Limerick Fringe is an open submission event. The total cost to an artist up front to take part is €30. The €30 gets you in the programme, secures your venue space, secures your tech crew and any other marketing aspects.

“In terms of revenue we work on the basis of a 60/40 split in the artists favour”, Simon tells me.

“Therefore, the artist gets 60% of any ticket sales and the other 40% goes back into covering the costs of running the event. It is a non-profit model. Nobody is taking a salary. The committee are volunteers and those who come on board to lend a hand are considered volunteers”.

The other key rule is that none of the committee have any show or performance as part of the programme. There is no conflict artistically.

So why the need to avoid the word ‘festival’?

“This is Fringe, not a festival and there is a difference. Fringe is something that happens on the outskirts of the traditional”, Simon explains.

“It is in a mix of non-traditional and different style venues. We want the artists to work with the retail community, we want them to engage with venue owners in the hope that they too will get a knock on effect from the various programmed events”.

Eva adds that Limerick Fringe is attempting to push out into the wider Limerick community.

“We want people who have never considered attending a show to give it a shot at a Fringe event”, she says.

“We are not mainstream. A lot of what you will see programmed is quirky. It is different and it is accessible. Most importantly it is cheap in the cost sense!”

The Limerick Fringe team will use year one as a steep learning curve and then ultimately grow year on year.

Eva adds that their goal is to consistently grow in terms of quality, content and experience.

“We have created a five-year plan and know where we want to go”, she says.

“We are proud have achieved what we have from a very small base. We didn’t set out with an idea but wait until we received funding. We are developing a product first and what happens later in terms of funding or sponsorship – well that’s for another day”.

What is interesting to note is that everything you see about the festival at present has mostly been created either through benefit-in-kind or from the direct support of volunteers or members of the Limerick Fringe team with individual skillsets. The website, for example, has cost no more than €80 to get up and running.

Mick and Val Dolan with Mike Finn at the launch. Photo: Pat Browne

The venues for Limerick Fringe will include Dolans Warehouse and Dolans Upstairs, One Pery Hotel, the rooms of Shannon Rowing Club, upstairs at the Locke Bar and Mothers Macs pub. These are not your typical ‘arty’ venues.

“What we are trying to create are good audience experiences and we hope that these venues will help us to do that”, Simon notes.

“Quite often you hear of people whose perceptions of theatre or the arts of a stiff, shirt and tie wearing brigade – our goal is to break down the barriers to entry certain prospective audiences have and to introduce them to a new world that will hopefully create a new hobby that can last a lifetime”.

Limerick Fringe is supported with the help of (in no particular order) The Locke Bar, One Pery Hotel, Dolan Pub and Warehouse, Mother Macs, Treaty City Brewing Company, Belltable Connect, House and John Bird.

A full list of events along with information on how to get involved or support Limerick Fringe can be found at www.limerickfringe.com

]]>http://nigeldugdale.ie/2017/01/26/limerick-fringe-aims-stimulate-audience-development-city/feed/0Interview: Limerick’s own Crooner – Liam O’Brienhttp://nigeldugdale.ie/2016/12/22/interview-limericks-crooner-liam-obrien/
http://nigeldugdale.ie/2016/12/22/interview-limericks-crooner-liam-obrien/#respondThu, 22 Dec 2016 16:56:06 +0000http://nigeldugdale.ie/?p=1448In this evening’s sold out concert, Limerick’s Liam O’Brien celebrates his 14th year spreading Christmas cheer to the people of Limerick and further afield. In this interview he tells me about the background to Crooning. Liam came up with the idea in 2004, at a time when he had been keen to come back to …

]]>In this evening’s sold out concert, Limerick’s Liam O’Brien celebrates his 14th year spreading Christmas cheer to the people of Limerick and further afield. In this interview he tells me about the background to Crooning.

Liam came up with the idea in 2004, at a time when he had been keen to come back to Ireland to do something on the only break he’d get from Emmerdale which was Christmas.

“I’d actually been asked to be the guest star in Limerick Pantomime but my contract wouldn’t let me and my window of time off was too tight to do shows in January regardless”, he remembers.

“So I talked to Dave Irwin about doing a small show, upstairs in No.2 Pery Square which (now Culture House) as we’d done a Gershwin show together there the year before. Between us we came up the concept, and my late Dad Tim was instrumental in putting it altogether via email and phone as I wasn’t back a lot at that stage”.

Liam tells me that the most interesting aspect of the show down through the years has been the touring he has managed to do.

“I adore performing at home at Christmas but I’m aware that shows can’t live on forever unless they grow, develop and reach new audiences. I dipped my toe in the water with 2 Dublin dates in 2012. They were tremendously successful and it allowed me to tour to other venues across the country in 2014 again and every year since.

It also means I can block book off December from other work, and focus solely on a show the provides employment not only for myself, but for musicians, guests and technicians. While also affording the opportunity to grow an indigenous Limerick brand nationwide”.

Liam first became taken by the Crooning style back in 1998 just after the passing of Frank Sinatra. Like most 90’s kids he describes his musical taste as ‘eclectic’ – everything from Nirvana to Garth Brooks.

“When Sinatra passed away, I’d only been familiar with New York, New York and My Way so I started discovering all his classic albums – Columbia era into Capitol and Reprise. His movies. His radio appearance. I just ate it all up.

Like many young people I guess are now doing with Bowie and Prince. Sad, but some good comes of reminding us all that all things are temporary but true art like music and literature live on. I started emulating that style, that repertoire and that delivery. I feel I’ve found my own voice, but it’s incredibly influenced by Sinatra, Tony Bennett and Harry Connick Jnr more than anyone else.

Touring Crooning at Christmas outside Ireland is a challenge due to overhead costs but certainly not something Liam has ruled out. However, he did spend 2008 touring with the Olivier nominated ‘Rat Pack – Live from Las Vegas’ alternating the role of Dean Martin.

“We toured the UK and right across the USA and some dates in Europe. I was then given the full time lead role in 2009 touring specifically in the Christmas version and that was dream come true. I’ve also toured the Kings of Swing show across the UK with a fantastic live big band and was due to do an American tour for a month when I got a year-long Shakespeare contract with Propeller touring so had to hang that up for the time being. Work in my line comes along like buses – nothing for an hour then three at once”.

Liam is keen to stress his late father Tim’s influence when it comes to the history of Crooning.

“It’s perhaps twee to say, but the very first year we ended up doing 3 nights at No.2 Pery Square and my Dad watched every single one. But he always stayed at the back because he’d rather any seat we could sell be sold. The first year I covered all the band costs, but the whole box office after then went to charity so he was doing that so we could make as much as possible.

I always knew my Dad had great integrity, but he did it in quiet ways which I think speaks volumes ironically. I remember watching him watch the show from the back each night and there was just immense pride in his eyes. We lost him a year later. You can’t put a price on those memories.

It’s no surprise that Liam cites Tony Bennett as his favourite all-time singer.

“Sinatra was the chairman, but for me its Tony Bennett. Just because of his longevity. He never stopped gigging. He was out of spotlight in 70s and 80s but was playing every club and bar going. He didn’t sit around lamenting the loss of the spotlight he had in 50s and 60s, he got out there and kept his instrument fresh and alive.

He’s a true jazz singer. He plays with small ensembles so that the music is improvised. Too much orchestration can kill that kind of music unless its a big band. And that inspires me. Truly does. I saw him live in 1999 in the NCH. Blew me away. he just turned 90 and sounds better than Frank did in late 60s. Inspirational”.

So what does Christmas mean to Liam?

“It’s about family. It’s about friends. It’s about home. Crooning now allows me to be around home for Christmas each year while also keeping me working to provide for what can be cold and quieter start to the year. That’s important to me. And as long as I can keep working at what I’ve dedicated myself to and make a living, then that is the greatest Christmas blessing”.

Liam credits his loyal and ‘incredible’ Limerick audiences as the key factor that makes Crooning work.

“I often wondered if I’d be able to bring audiences back each year who’d seen the show. But it’s now become a tradition for many people. Just like singing the same carols at church, they come to Dolan’s to sing the same crooners! My friends my family all come. Every year. Some do the same.

Some drop in every couple of years but we usually sell out which tells me we’ve established something homegrown, that local people like to celebrate and support and that not only employs but showcases local talent from technicians to musicians to guest vocalists of whom we’ve had over a dozen over the years.

A good friend of mine who supports everything that’s on in town simply says “If you go to things, more things will happen” I believe that, and feel if we build it they will come. We just have also encourage those to do so.

Liam also notes the input made by people like Mick and Valerie Dolan as key to promoting Limerick’s music scene as well as crediting everyone who gets off the couch and buys a ticket.

“In Limerick we are not funded in the arts as well as other cities in Ireland, and so the public shoulders that burned. That they do so well in regard to this show, tells me they are among the most supportive audiences in Ireland and they value live entertainment”.

]]>http://nigeldugdale.ie/2016/12/22/interview-limericks-crooner-liam-obrien/feed/0Interview: Niall O’Callaghan, IDA Mid West Regional Devt Managerhttp://nigeldugdale.ie/2016/12/22/interview-niall-ocallaghan-ida-mid-west-regional-devt-manager/
http://nigeldugdale.ie/2016/12/22/interview-niall-ocallaghan-ida-mid-west-regional-devt-manager/#respondThu, 22 Dec 2016 16:02:28 +0000http://nigeldugdale.ie/?p=1435As we approach the end of 2016, a year that has seen further significant FDI investment in Limerick I chat with Niall O’Callaghan, IDA Regional Development Manager for the Mid-West region. A native of Adare in County Limerick, Niall is a graduate of UL where he received a degree in Production Management and a postgraduate …

]]>As we approach the end of 2016, a year that has seen further significant FDI investment in Limerick I chat with Niall O’Callaghan, IDA Regional Development Manager for the Mid-West region.

A native of Adare in County Limerick, Niall is a graduate of UL where he received a degree in Production Management and a postgraduate of UCC where he received a Masters in Food Marketing.

After graduation, Niall launched his career in Dublin where he began working in the FMCG business with Robert Roberts Ltd. Prior to taking on the IDA role in April 2016 Niall worked as Business Operations Manager with Unilever Ireland, the world’s largest FMCG company and was responsible for the strategic direction of the Foods Division, brands such as Knorr, Hellmann’s and Flora.

O’Callaghan believes that Limerick punches above its weight when it comes to attracting FDI.

“Ultimately Limerick is a very small city in international standards, and the Mid-West Region with a population of under 400,000 people does not have the critical mass of our competitors”, he tells me.

“For example, there are 146 towns and cities in the UK with a greater population than Limerick. So, it is easy to see how much we actually punch above our weight when it comes to FDI, the world class brands now in this region; Regeneron, J&J, Analog, AXA, GE etc. It just means we at IDA Ireland have to work so much harder to position this region as a viable location”.

O’Callaghan at the opening of ACI Data in Limerick earlier this year

O’Callaghan acknowledges the work done behind the scenes by many of the key stakeholders across Limerick.

“With support from our partners and stakeholders such as the educational institutions UL, LIT and LCETB and because of our relative size, we can be more flexible, adaptable and responsive to industry needs which actually helps us stand out in attracting companies to this region”, he notes.

In terms of infrastructure O’Callaghan sees the continued development of quality regional access as key to our continued success.

“The obvious one is the M20 to Cork and the Northern Distributor Route”, he says.

“This will specifically aid future expansions by existing client companies in and around the National Technology Park. However, the single biggest influencing factor to position the Mid-West for future FDI wins is connectivity to London and Europe via Shannon Airport.

O’Callaghan believes that it is the Shannon connectivity that has the potential to be a game changer with the likes of a daily Amsterdam route having the potential to significantly enhance the proposition of the Mid-West as a location for international business looking to enter the European market.

Niall cites the current momentum seen in the Limerick and Mid-West region as something that excites him most as we enter 2017.

“Success breathes success after all”, he notes.

“Once you start to change the perception of a location or city, there tends to be a wave of goodwill and support that follows. And the success of IDA Ireland in attracting investments since the start of our current Regional Strategy (Winning FDI 2015-2019) have played a pivotal role in in delivering that new vision of Limerick and the Mid-West Region”.

WP Engine – another job boost for Limerick in 2016

When asked about political developments in 2016, particularly Brexit and the Trump election O’Callaghan believes we have yet to fully establish exactly what the current geopolitical landscape will deliver in the form of new policies etc, so sees these developments as still an unknown quantity.

“We must remain focused, however, on what we do have control of: cost competitiveness for companies, talent and skills availability, infrastructure investments. We are confident at IDA Ireland if we remain competitive on theses metrics, and with our unwavering support as a member of the EU and Eurozone, that we will continue to deliver on our regional strategy”, he adds.

Niall stresses the importance of delivering high quality new office accommodation across Limerick over the near future.

“It is a crucial requirement for any potential company looking at a location. The sooner this region can develop new options, the sooner it provides an opportunity to showcase, as part of the overall package and value proposition for the Mid-West”.

With some commentators critical in recent times about the perception that Limerick is trying to be a best friend to every industry, O’Callaghan stresses this as a huge strength.

“In the past we were traditionally over reliant on one of two industries and that is a dangerous position to be in, if there is change in global demands. We are unique in this region, having a breath of sectors represented here, everything from Med Tech to Bio-Pharma, ICT to Content and Consumer Business Services, and Emerging Business to Manufacturing.

What this allows us do is speak to many more prospective clients across our international network, in various sectors. Widening the net also means we are not over dependent on one skill set in the region and it will help retain our talent”.

Niall tells me that almost 70% of all IDA client investments come from existing client companies, something he expects to continue.

“We have a strong tradition for aviation, high end manufacturing and engineering in this region. Coupled with a new wave of FDI in the form of Tech and ICT, there is an opportunity to further develop this cluster within the Mid-West”, he notes.

In his role Niall O’Callaghan spends much of his time with new or existing FDI companies looking to expand in the region. So what excites those companies most about Limerick?

“I would say it is the talent and can do attitude of the workforce that stands out most. It is a core part of why we over index when it comes to FDI in this region, companies are blown away by the quality and work ethic of not only our graduates, but also those with experience hungry for more.

I firmly believe a cohesive and coordinated approach by all stakeholders in the region can only benefit our proposition as a location to do business. The success of Action Plan for Jobs of which IDA Ireland is a key stakeholder, is an example of how bringing regional stakeholders together can deliver – for the region”.

Niall O’Callaghan is a former Irish International athlete and lives in Croagh where he is actively involved in Croagh/Kilfinny GAA Club and the West Limerick Athletics Club.

]]>http://nigeldugdale.ie/2016/12/22/interview-niall-ocallaghan-ida-mid-west-regional-devt-manager/feed/0Interview: BBC sports commentator Conor McNamarahttp://nigeldugdale.ie/2016/12/08/interview-bbc-sports-commentator-conor-mcnamara/
http://nigeldugdale.ie/2016/12/08/interview-bbc-sports-commentator-conor-mcnamara/#respondThu, 08 Dec 2016 16:05:55 +0000http://nigeldugdale.ie/?p=1397Earlier this year Limerick bid farewell to Terry Wogan, a Crescent College educated young boy who left the city and went on to become the BBC’s most popular broadcaster. Wogan never forgot his home town right up to the moment he passed away. Another Crescent educated boy has followed the footsteps of Wogan, albeit in …

]]>Earlier this year Limerick bid farewell to Terry Wogan, a Crescent College educated young boy who left the city and went on to become the BBC’s most popular broadcaster. Wogan never forgot his home town right up to the moment he passed away.

Another Crescent educated boy has followed the footsteps of Wogan, albeit in this instance in the sporting world.

Conor McNamara is the well-known commentator working for BBC Radio 5 Live, Match of the Day and BBC Television’s Rugby Union coverage. Now living in Manchester, McNamara is a proud Limerick-man who, like Wogan, has never lost his fondness for home.

Conor was educated in Mungret National School and then attended Crescent College Comprehensive.

“I’m very proud of both schools”, he tells me. “The teachers were conscientious and there was always plenty of extra-curricular activities. I was never a focused scholar, I used to daydream a lot during regular classes, but things like the school radio station, magazines, sport, and music really caught my attention”.

Conor’s memories of childhood are dominated by his days playing sport. He played hurling and Gaelic Football for Mungret, soccer for Mungret/Regional (as it was then known) and rugby for Old Crescent.

“Between training and matches, there was always something going on sports-related. As much as the action itself, I remember being squeezed into the back of cars with a huge number of other kids. The kind of thing that Health and Safety would not approve of today”, he remembers.

Conor’s first broadcasting “job” was with Radio Limerick, now known as Limerick’s Live 95fm, when he was 16 years of age.

“I used to present Saturday and Sunday afternoons mostly playing music, but between the songs I would update the latest scores in various sports. This was the pre-internet era, so I remember I used to read the scores off teletext on a TV monitor in the studio. The challenge was always to get the scores read out quickly before the page automatically changed”, he says.

This early learning gave Conor experience in the basics of broadcasting. This is something he always insists you can only learn by “doing”.

As choices had to made regarding university Conor determined a career in broadcasting was where his destiny lay.

“Back then there were no specialist Broadcasting Degrees available in Ireland so I went to England and studied TV & Radio in Manchester. It was at this time that Radio Ireland (Now Today FM) started up and I remember sending in a cassette with a recording of me doing a match report from a Premier League match.

I hadn’t actually been to the game, just recorded at home on a tape player. I didn’t say how old I was on the cover letter I sent in with the tape, and I guess I sounded a bit older than 18”, he tells me.

This was a major turning point for McNamara’s career. He secured a regular spot Radio Ireland going to Premier League matches across England every Saturday and Sunday.

“This was an experience money can’t buy”, he says. “I would travel to Old Trafford, Anfield, Highbury, Elland Road and watch top class games every week and broadcast the reports live on air with the likes of Johnny Giles. I was no longer a “wannabe sports reporter”, I was actually doing the real thing”.

In 1997 Radio Ireland (Today FM) got the rights to do commentary of the FA Cup Final, but as a new station they didn’t have a commentator. Conor had impressed the station’s management enough with his earlier reports to be offered the job.

Having never done a live football commentary in his life, McNamara suddenly found himself on a train to Wembley to commentate on the FA Cup Final. It was a classic case of being in the right place at the right time.

“The following summer I went to The World Cup in France for Radio Ireland and sent back daily reports from the tournament. TV3 started up that same summer and were looking for a commentator. I was the guy who commentated for the national independent radio station, so they offered the job to me. Truth was I had only done a handful of live games on radio, but suddenly I was signed up to commentate on Republic of Ireland games on National TV. I was still only 21”.

After 3 years with TV working on Ireland games and also commentating on the Champions League, one of Conor’s pundits – Mark Lawrenson – told him that BBC were looking for new young commentators. Lawrenson put in a good word and at age 24 Conor was once again moving back to England. This time to join the BBC.”

One of Conor’s biggest challenges throughout his career has been maintaining the high standards required to remain at an organisation like The BBC.

“When people ask about working in the media they always want to know about how you got into it, but the really hard part is working your way up – and staying there – within the corporation”, he notes.

“The BBC is relied upon all over the world as a trustworthy source. If a big story breaks people flock to the BBC coverage to hear what is actually true. They know that we don’t deal in hyperbole. The big challenge is to keep those standards up.

McNamara feels that from the outside people would see his job as being at the games inside the stadium but he stresses the most important part as being the research you do at home beforehand and the logistics of planning your journeys and being in the right place at the right time.

Conor outlines an average week as being:

Monday: Commentate on a Premier League game in Liverpool

Tuesday: Fly to Madrid

Wednesday: Commentate on a Real Madrid Champions League game

Thursday: Fly back from Madrid

Friday: Prep and research day

Saturday: Commentate on Chelsea in the Premier League.

With such a hectic schedule it is hardly any wonder that Conor finds it increasingly difficult these days to pay visits to his home town.

“Before I had kids I used to come back frequently, but that has become more difficult now with little ones to mind. I still keep in contact with many of my old school friends. I still like to come home for the odd Munster match when I can”, he says.

Over recent years Conor acknowledges the huge changes taking place across Limerick.

“There have been huge changes in infrastructure”, he notes. “Driving into Limerick nowadays feels like you are driving into a proper sized city.

“We used to laugh as kids that there were so few restaurants and coffee shops in Limerick, because everyone would eat at home. “Sure why would you pay for coffee out and about when you could just make it at home?” but the city has clearly come on leaps and bounds in that regard”.

As a keen sportsman McNamara believes Munster’s exploits on the rugby stage have been a great boost for how people abroad see Limerick.

“Whenever I say to someone that I’m from Limerick they invariably say “Oh, where Munster play?”

“I think Limerick is seen as a sort of ‘mini-New Zealand’ – where everyone is rugby obsessed – I think it’s a really good thing”.

Conor describes his proudest moments being the opportunity he has had to work at the really big events such as World Cups and Olympics. His career has taken him to World Cups in places like South Africa and Brazil. He was in Rio this year for The Olympics and every two years he works at The Ryder Cup.

“I have worked at sporting events in over 70 countries on all four continents”, he says. “I’m very aware that it would cost a hell of a lot of money to go to these events as a fan. I don’t take it for granted”.

I ask him whether having lived away from Limerick for so long makes him lose his ‘Limerickness’.

“If people abroad notice that you are Irish they almost by default assume that you are front Dublin. I find being from Limerick is a nice point of difference”, he says.

“I’ve always been very proud to be from Limerick. When I joined the BBC Terry Wogan was one of the top broadcasters in the operation. Being from the same place – and same school even – as him was great for my confidence. The idea that a guy who went to Crescent could go on to become one of the biggest stars at The BBC was hugely influential to me.

When I work at rugby games for the BBC, I’m often alongside former England, Wales or Scotland internationals. I always get a nod of respect when they find out that I’m from Limerick”.

Conor describes social media as an excellent tool when used properly.

“It allows you to connect with your audience in whole new way. But you have to be careful. In many ways social media is like invading your own privacy. I never mention my family or personal life on social media, it is just an extension of my working life. I think it’s important to keep those two separate.

Most Limerick people I know who now live abroad will still follow Limerick institutions on social media to keep in touch with what is happening at home. I follow the likes of the local papers, Munster Rugby, Limerick FC and the likes of Crescent School on Twitter, just to keep a sense of what’s going on at home”.

BBC Pundit, Keith Wood. Photo: Colin Bell

Conor describes Keith Wood as being a huge influence.

“I’ve been fortunate to work with Keith Wood for both BBC and TV3. He is a very impressive operator. You can see why he was such a good captain. A pep-talk from him and you’d be more than happy to run through walls for him.

Keith was influential in getting me to commentate on the 2015 Rugby World Cup for TV3 and I always enjoying seeing him on 6 Nations trips with the BBC. He’s not just a sporting legend, but a top class broadcaster and businessman too”.

In many senses it is no surprise that Conor found himself attracted to the world of broadcasting. His father is the well-known Limerick DJ Michael McNamara. He describes his dad as a mentor from the beginning and continues to be today.

“He has an excellent ear for what works and what doesn’t on-air”, Conor tells me.

Conor’s dad Michael – a huge influence

“As I have worked my way up the ranks I have noticed at various stages that broadcasting colleagues of mine make a point of seeking him out and asking him advice”.

Conor sees broadcasting as a funny profession that requires a tough skin to survive the level of criticism you receive from some people who have no idea what it is like to sit in front of a live microphone.

“There is also, within media, a tendency for people to praise average work”, he adds. “Ideally what you want is someone you trust who can tell it to you straight. Your positives and your negatives.

My dad has worked in live radio all his life and from TV3 and RTE through to BBC and Sky I have noticed over the years that many of my colleagues ask him advice, and act on it. He was always a great person to have in my corner, and there is no way I would have progressed as I have done without his wisdom and advice”.

Whiskey lover? Check out Conor’s appearance on Celebrity Mastermind last New Year’s Eve

]]>http://nigeldugdale.ie/2016/12/08/interview-bbc-sports-commentator-conor-mcnamara/feed/0New Limerick Chamber policy director outlines her visionhttp://nigeldugdale.ie/2016/11/23/new-limerick-chamber-policy-director-outlines-vision/
http://nigeldugdale.ie/2016/11/23/new-limerick-chamber-policy-director-outlines-vision/#respondWed, 23 Nov 2016 15:07:42 +0000http://nigeldugdale.ie/?p=1328We’ve had Brexit. We’ve had Trump. We are witnessing the rise of the far right across Europe. At home our economic stability is being challenged – union pay demands, a housing crisis and a government make-up unlike anything we have seen before. Against this backdrop Limerick is witnessing a rebirth. The Limerick 2030 Economic and …

]]>We’ve had Brexit. We’ve had Trump. We are witnessing the rise of the far right across Europe. At home our economic stability is being challenged – union pay demands, a housing crisis and a government make-up unlike anything we have seen before.

Against this backdrop Limerick is witnessing a rebirth. The Limerick 2030 Economic and Spatial Plan has given the city and county a platform for growth and development. Investment is happening.

City centre retail is picking up, particularly in the hospitality industry. Job creation is the key focus and the new confident attitude seen across our stakeholders is reaping rewards.

At the same time, Limerick Chamber, a key signatory of the new Limerick Charter, has undergone a major facelift. Since his appointment last year, the CEO of Limerick Chamber James Ring has dramatically changed the organisation’s structure with many new faces being appointed to the organisation.

Caroline Kelleher – Limerick Chamber’s new policy director

One of these personnel additions is the new Chamber Director of Policy Caroline Kelleher. A graduate of commerce from UCC, where she finished first in a class of 154 students, Kelleher has an impressive CV.

Her further education includes a First Class Masters in Economic Science as well as a Post Grad in Statistics in Trinity College and successful completion of CIMA qualifications.

Caroline has worked as an Economic Consultant with Goodbody Stockbrokers, a Strategic Planning and Advisory Consultant with AECOM, and most recently as a Senior Economist with DKM Economic Consultants.

In this interview she chats to me about her new role and the opportunities it presents and her key policy objectives.

The Limerick opportunity

Kelleher arrives in her new policy role at Limerick Chamber at a very interesting time in the Chamber’s history.

“I feel that Limerick is undergoing major transformation at present”, she tells me. “There is huge potential for Limerick in the coming years. In the past few years, there have been a significant number of job announcements which shows how successful Limerick has been in attracting investment and how companies want to locate here”.

The International Gardens site on Henry St

She believes the 2030 plan will see major redevelopment of key sites in Limerick City and will have significant economic impacts in the short term on construction employment for the region but also in the longer term in attracting investment to the area.

“More and more companies and their employees want to locate in vibrant cities and Limerick is working to achieve a more vibrant city. There are plenty of pubs and restaurants to choose from as well as theatre and event spaces and a good shopping experience with independent stores and artisan markets”, she notes.

Kelleher believes the region must ensure there is sufficient investment in infrastructure.

“If we are to meet the needs for future economic growth and continue to attract investment into the region, it is vital that there is sufficient capital spending in the areas of transport, housing, commercial property, water and wastewater”, she says.

In particular Kelleher sees the Northern Relief Road as is a vital piece of infrastructure for Limerick.

“This will allow easier access to the University of Limerick and will also open up areas of land for further development. Likewise, the recommencement of the planning process for the M20 is also a key project that needs to be progressed to ensure more balanced regional development for the three regional cities of Cork, Limerick and Galway”, she adds.

Caroline believes it is crucial for Limerick to be ready and prepared for any new investment opportunities. For that reason, she emphasizes the need for continued investment in industry and office space.

“Limerick 2030 will contribute significantly to this in the coming years. It is also important that there is continued investment in Education and training to ensure that the skills of our graduates continue to meet industry requirements.

Significant steps have been made in this regard in initiatives such as ‘Limerick for Engineering’ and ‘Limerick for IT’ as well as the recently opened Bernal Institute in UL”, she notes.

Chamber Policy Focus

In terms of Limerick Chamber’s role in the new Limerick project Kelleher believes the policy strategy will be key.

“We are the largest Chamber in the Mid-West and therefore have a key role to play in supporting the development of the region. If we want to see the Mid-West region continue to flourish, we need to be proactive in seeking policies that support the development of the region and the business environment”, she says.

The M20 Limerick to Cork Motorway – a key Chamber policy project

Kelleher has hit the ground running in her new role and already is actively seeking to influence policy. Just recently the recommencement of planning on the M20 was announced, something that had been on the Chambers policy agenda for some time.

She sees the transformation being seen in Limerick as something that excites her most about the new role.

“There is great momentum in the region, to continue to develop Limerick and the Mid-West. In the past two months we have seen a significant number of job announcements, which is further reinforcing the view that it is a key place to do business.

The ‘can do’ attitude that I have encountered since coming to Limerick is evident of the ambition of the people in Limerick and the Mid-West to continue to develop and grow the city and region”, she says.

Brexit

Kelleher sees the recent Brexit referendum result as the great unknown.

“It will all depend on whether we have a hard or soft exit. I think Brexit is both an opportunity and a threat”, she says.

“As our largest trading partner, the devaluation of sterling has had a very negative impact on our exports. Many small businesses that were not be in a position to hedge for such currency movements have been very negatively affected. This is particular the case for indigenous owned companies and particularly companies in the Food sector. Our energy supply is also an issue to consider. Currently 90% of our gas comes via the UK which is a concern in the event of a hard Brexit”.

Conversely, she believes that Brexit does also open us to opportunities.

“As Ireland will be the only English speaking country in the EU, it will help us to capitalise on any new investment into the European market but also any potential leakage from the UK. With a significant pipeline of office space coming on-stream in Limerick and a housing market that is not as constrained as Dublin, there is potential for the region to benefit from some of this”.

Trump

From an Irish perspective, Kelleher notes the concern of many in relation to aftermath of the election of Donald Trump and the potential for him to cut US corporation tax to 15 per cent.

“While our corporation tax is an important aspect in attracting FDI to Ireland it is important to remember that Ireland is attractive to FDI for a number of reasons, including our skilled workforce but also our location which facilitates companies to run global operations”, she says.

“Moreover, Trump’s protectionism policy could counter the benefits of lower corporation tax. In the event that there is a move towards protectionism, which could result in trade tariffs, it will be more important for US companies to have a European base. From that point of view, I think that the impact on investment here will be limited”.

Policy focus

Population densities in Ireland – balance needed?

One of the key priorities for Kelleher and Limerick Chamber will be issues that ensure more balanced regional development for the Mid-West.

She highlights sufficient investment in transport infrastructure as vital for the region, sees the Northern Distributor Road is a key piece of infrastructure that needs to be developed, views the M20 Limerick to Cork Motorway as a potential game game changer for the region and sees the N69 road upgrade is also vital to the continued development of our Port.

“I believe it will be important to look again at progressing the Shannon LNG terminal. This is a key piece of infrastructure that could have significant economic impacts for the region”, see notes.

“Currently, Ireland is very dependent on gas imports with about 90% of our gas coming from the UK, which raises concerns around our security of supply, particularly in the event hard Brexit. The proposed Shannon LNG terminal would make a major contribution to meeting gas demand over the coming decades and also open up the area for significant investment in gas intensive industry.

Life away from the desk

Downtown Medellin

Outside of work Kelleher is a keen traveller and tries to tick one bucket list item every year. As a student she spent two summers in the US and after graduating spent a year living in Australia and travelling in South East Asia. At the start of 2016, she took a career break and spent 8 months travelling through South and Central America.

“I particularly loved my time in Colombia and spent a month living in Medellin”, she says. “I found the Colombian people extremely friendly and always willing to help and tell you about their life.

It was also great to see the transformation that has taken place in the City of Medellin and the success of the regeneration. Outside of Medellin, the countryside in Colombia is beautiful; it has so much to offer from jungles, amazing beaches and national parks”.

Future trends

In her new role Kelleher keeps in touch with future trends that will impact how our region and nation develops in to the future. From a technology perspective, she highlights the Internet of Things is a key emerging trend.

“It is great to see the recently announced funding for the Smart City Initiative which will allow Limerick to further develop our expertise in this area and open up the region to continued investment in technology”, she notes.

“The recently announced Paris Climate Change agreement is once again putting emphasis on our use of resources and the need to reduce emissions. It will be important that the Government continues to support energy efficiency initiatives and that we actively look at ways to be more sustainable across the economy”.

The Limerick pitch

So what would Kelleher say to anyone considering investing in Limerick today?

“Limerick is a great location for investment. With three third level institutions, it is an ideal location for any company that is looking for a young, highly skilled dynamic workforce. The proven track record of collaboration between the third level institution and industry ensures that the graduates are meeting the skills needs for industry.

Limerick also allows easy access to national and international markets. Shannon Airport is a key attraction for many FDI as well as indigenous companies allowing easy access to international markets. Similarly, Shannon Foynes Port as a Ten T port and the largest bulk port in the country is a key asset.

The lifestyle that Limerick offers is also a key attraction for firms looking to establish here.

The lifestyle that Limerick offers is also a key attraction for firms looking to establish here.

There is a great sporting culture in Limerick, especially in Rugby. As the home of Munster Rugby, there is always a great buzz around Limerick when a match is on.

The city also offers great restaurants and pubs for socialising, as well as a great shopping experience with plenty of independent stores and the vibrant artisan Milk Market. For families that are locating in Limerick, the city offers excellent schools including the top post primary school in the country according to the Irish Times list of the top 100 schools in Ireland”.

]]>http://nigeldugdale.ie/2016/11/23/new-limerick-chamber-policy-director-outlines-vision/feed/0Fergal Deegan – the real Mayor of Limerick?http://nigeldugdale.ie/2016/07/08/fergal-deegan-real-mayor-of-limerick/
http://nigeldugdale.ie/2016/07/08/fergal-deegan-real-mayor-of-limerick/#respondFri, 08 Jul 2016 14:52:00 +0000http://nigeldugdale.ie/2016/07/08/fergal-deegan-real-mayor-of-limerick/In some circles Fergal Deegan has the nickname of ‘the real Mayor of Limerick’. Anyone who knows him would certainly vouch for the fact that, were he to run for local politics, he would be a shoe in. Deegan is Limerick through and through. I first came across Fergal during my time working at Limerick’s …

]]>
In some circles Fergal Deegan has the nickname of ‘the real
Mayor of Limerick’. Anyone who knows him would certainly vouch for the fact
that, were he to run for local politics, he would be a shoe in.

Deegan is Limerick through and through. I first came across
Fergal during my time working at Limerick’s Live 95fm. I was always struck by
the fact that Fergal was rarely seen without a smile. He is and energetic, passionate
guy who is also driven by a deep spirituality and a desire to help others.

Born and raised in Limerick city centre Fergal was educated
at CBS Sexton St. He is honest about his lack of academic prowess. In his day
you had to achieve 5 honours and 5 passes in order to secure a Leaving Cert.
Fergal’s results didn’t make that grade.

It was the Limerick Leader that become the institution that
gave Deegan his true education. In fact, Fergal went straight out of school to
work in the Limerick Leader and ultimately spent 27 years working for the
Limerick institution.

The familiar smiling face of Fergal Deegan

“Brendan Halligan was editor at the time and Joe Gleeson was
Managing Director”, Fergal tells me. “I was going to the pictures with my wife
Phil one Saturday evening. Joe Gleeson came out of the front door of the
Limerick Leader offices and told me he had two vacancies – one in photographic
and one in sales. He had earmarked me for the sales role.

“My night at the pictures with the wife was ruined. I didn’t
think I was made for the role. I didn’t want to be seen as a beggar going in
and out of shops looking for money. I decided that night that I wasn’t going to
take the job. Sure enough when Monday morning came I went in and it all
started from there”.

Fergal describes his years in the Leader as akin to having a
second family.

“Over the years the team didn’t change much and it we all
grew up together in a sense behind the doors of the Leader”, he says.

“I struggled initially in the role. I used to go home crying
at night. My father gave me some advice suggesting that I do a sales feature on
our local parish. It wasn’t a bad idea. The following morning, I went into Joe
Donovan who was the sales manager at the time and told him I was going to do a
sales feature on St Joseph’s Parish”.

Fergal as a scout with St Joseph’s

It was this bit of entrepreneurial initiative that really
kickstarted Deegan’s successful career in sales. The paper ended up running a
32-page feature on all the local businesses in the parish. Because Fergal’s family
was well known everybody gave him a turn. It was such a huge success that the
Leader ended up going on to do similar supplements on other parishes across the
city.

“It was this experience that broke me in to meeting
people and building a solid and trusted clientele”, he remembers. “I remember
that Brendan Loughnane’s butchers on William St was the first successful ad I
sold for the Leader.

This was way before the era of computer design. I would
carry a book around that had examples of graphic design in it. I remember the
first thing we used in the ad was a picture of a lamb. It really was very basic
design at that time”.

Even though things have moved on, Fergal believes the
principle of newspaper sales is exactly the same. He is still a firm believer
in three principles of basic sales – meet, eye contact and get in the door.

“Too many people send emails these days and think they have
succeeded in making a sales call. Irish people by nature need face to face
contact. If you eyeball a potential client, you have created a situation where
they will think about it and the door will still be half ajar. Its then up to
you to sell after that”.

Fergal is the eldest in a family of four sons. All his brothers
worked in Dell at some time or another,

“Eoin still works for Dell”, Fergal tells me. “Declan is a
HR manager in Milford Hospice and Colm is working with CPL recruitment. Our
family has great links with Young Munster Rugby Club. We have been and still
are die hard supporters of the Cookies and have a long tradition with the club.
We had a granduncle and an uncle who served as President of Young Munster and I
was privileged to serve in the role myself in 2004”.

After the Limerick Leader Fergal went out to Ennis to work
for the Clare People. It was this experience that Fergal considers as another
of his great learning curves.

“After a long time at the Leader I was thrown into another
non-comfort zone. I didn’t know the patch and had to start all over again. It
was a fascinating year and a half. The paper was run by two businesspeople who
then ran into difficulty. We had to make cuts, downsize and so forth. It was a
really interesting time”.

In 2010 Fergal moved back into Limerick after a position
with Limerick’s Live 95fm. He acknowledges that moving from the world of print
to radio presents a whole new set of challenges.

“When I joined the radio station it was the year of an
election and I thought I would have bumper year getting plenty of sales from
the various political candidates. I quickly learned that they weren’t allow to
advertise so that scuppered my initial confidence.

Person of the month in 2013 was a proud achievement

There are so many rules and regulations with radio. With
outside broadcasts and special shows, you have to be so careful with what you
say. So really I had to begin learning a whole new trade”.

One of Fergal’s proudest achievements is the development of
the Living in a Window campaign with Live 95fm, saw two of the station’s DJs spending
95 hours literally living night and day in the window of Brown Thomas. This progressed
on to become the 95 Stop Tour and Fergal’s team are now well on the way to
hitting the half a million euro figure in fundraising raised over the last few
years.

Deegan is also well known for his involvement as a helper
with the Limerick Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes for the past 33 years.

“My younger brother was born with a hole in his heart”, he
tells me. “Again this was at a time before the evolution of technology so it
really was a big deal back then. He eventually required open heart surgery. My
father and mother were sent by friends along with Colm to Lourdes in the hope
that it would aid his recovery.

My father made a promise that should Colm get better we
would go back every year. Colm thankfully recovered and my dad kept that
promise. Every 20th June we would see him head off to Lourdes.

When
the time came myself and my brother Declan decided to keep up the tradition and
have done for the past 33 years”.

Despite being well-known as a salesman Fergal had never
thought of raising money as part of his Lourdes trips. It was during a 2007
trip to Lourdes that he developed a notion to organise a cycle trip to Lourdes
the following year to raise money.

“I mentioned the idea to the director of the pilgrimage and
that night he announced it from the altar. Someone came up after that mass and
gave us a €50 donation so we knew at that point there was no turning back”, he
says.

2016 was Fergal and his team’s fourth year cycling to
Lourdes in the biannual event that he says has seen its final year. The trip
this year had an added bonus in that Keith Duffy, former Boyzone member, agreed
to take part in the entire trip.

“Keith’s trust has committed to helping the Cliona
Foundation which is one of the charities our cycle to Lourdes event raises
money for. Cliona was one of the young girls who would come to Lourdes with us
on pilgrimage and unfortunately she passed away a number of years ago after
suffering from a brain tumour”, Fergal says.

Keith Duffy’s support has been a real boost

“I met Keith at a Cliona fundraiser in Bulgaden Castle and
mentioned the cycle trip to him. Initially I asked him if he would launch our
event and he was happy to do so. He expressed some interest in taking part in a
section of the trip himself. Then I got a call to say that Keith had decided to
do the entire trip. I don’t think he fully understood the lunatics he was
getting involved with but I think he really enjoyed it!

Fergal’s family is quite a musical one. His brothers would
be well known as singers, drummers and guitarists with Fergal known as the man
you want at the piano after a party at 3am. He has always been involved in events that
promote the city and was one of the team behind the successful Paddy Music Expo
which took place in Limerick. He believes that the May Bank Holiday is Limerick’s
weekend.

“We are blessed to have the Great Limerick Run and Riverfest
happening on that weekend. I think this year particularly showed great potential.
We need to expand the event into the city. Having the event based on the river
is fantastic but we also need to create a sense of a festival atmosphere right
into the heart of the city centre. If we can find a way of doing this well I
think we would have a winner on our hands”, he says.

Fergal believes that there is a fantastic sense of
positivity around Limerick at the moment.

“You only need to go into the various restaurants and bars
in the city to get that sense. I remember where the restaurant offer in
Limerick was extremely limited, so much so that you had to book or you hadn’t a
hope. Now we have every type of food you can imagine with new places opening up
all the time”.

“My only concern is on the retail side. From my perspective
as a guy who sells advertising I think the city needs to treat itself as a
shopping centre. If you look at the various shopping centres I would have as clients,
I am dealing with one customer and that is the shopping centre operator’s role.
They do the marketing on behalf of all the shops they have in their domain. We
really need to do something similar in Limerick”.

Deegan believes that we need to improve our retail mix and
to improve the general city centre shopping experience.

“If we could bottle the atmosphere seen in the Milk Market
on a Saturday morning and spread it further uptown we would have a city to beat
so many other cities in the country”, he says.

Fergal Deegan is one of those guys who has Limerick in his
heart. He is a guy who brightens up any room he enters. It’s no wonder his
sales career has been a success. Who knows, we may even see his face up a pole
during a local election in years to come!

]]>http://nigeldugdale.ie/2016/07/08/fergal-deegan-real-mayor-of-limerick/feed/0New production to celebrate life of Limerick soprano Catherine Hayeshttp://nigeldugdale.ie/2016/04/25/new-production-to-celebrate-life-of/
http://nigeldugdale.ie/2016/04/25/new-production-to-celebrate-life-of/#respondMon, 25 Apr 2016 11:15:00 +0000http://nigeldugdale.ie/2016/04/25/new-production-to-celebrate-life-of/Nicknamed ‘The Madonna of her day”, Catherine Hayes is perhaps the most famous performer Limerick has ever produced on a global stage. A classical soprano, Hayes was born on 4 Patrick Street in Limerick and by the end of her career had travelled the globe performing in some of the most famous venues. However, her …

]]>
Nicknamed ‘The Madonna of her day”, Catherine Hayes is
perhaps the most famous performer Limerick has ever produced on a global stage.
A classical soprano, Hayes was born on 4 Patrick Street in Limerick and by the
end of her career had travelled the globe performing in some of the most famous
venues.

However, her years of performance activity in the mid-1800’s
leave us with no actual audio recordings and perhaps this is why her name has
somewhat faded into the annals of history.

This is set to change over the next few months as a
well-known Limerick duo prepare to collaborate on a theatre production that
will celebrate the life, career and music of Limerick’s most successful
classical music export.

Mike Finn
(Pigtown, Killinaskully, The Unlucky Cabin Boy) and Limerick soprano Sarah
Dolan are currently working on the creation of ‘Nightingale’, a project that
aims to re-introduce the life and work of Catherine Hayes to a local, national
and international audience.

Production on Nightingale is planned for 2017 with a
fundraising concert to help support the show’s development taking place in St
Mary’s Cathedral on Thursday 9th June.

Speaking from Seattle where she is currently based, Sarah
Dolan says that concept for the show has been one she has wanted to develop for
many years.

“I have always felt that the life of Catherine Hayes should
be celebrated in some way”, she tells me.

“She is such a special part of Limerick history and I believe
she deserves to recognised on a global stage. Hayes lived long before the time
of audio recording so we have no actual understanding of what she sounded like.
However, we have a deep knowledge of the repertoire she was renowned for and the
fact that she gained fame on a global level”.

Sarah Dolan studied at the Conservatory of Music in Dublin
and studied for her Masters at the Conservatory of Music in San Francisco where
she received the prestigious James H Schwabacher Jr Scholarship.

Sarah’s classical career has taken her to stages in Europe
and America were one of her performances was noted as “a moving, authentic
vocal interpretation of, ‘The Last Rose of Summer’” by the Washington Times.

Limerick audiences will remember Sarah from her performance
as part of the open air Proms in the Park which took place during Limerick’s year
as National City of Culture in 2014. A daughter of well-known musical promoters Mick and Valerie Dolan, Sarah has been immersed in the world of musical
performance all her life.

Sarah Dolan

“In her day
Catherine Hayes was considered an operatic superstar”, Sarah notes. “Perhaps
she was most known for her concert repertoire and the fact that she introduced
a lot of Irish classical repertoire to the United States, California in
particular”.

Catherine Hayes visited California during the famous gold
rush. In fact, her tour was backed by the well-known circus promoter PT Barnum.
Her California performances were received so well that one review noted her
voice: “broke forth in notes
of most bewitching sweetness and harmony. The excitement of the audience
increased to a furious extent, no doubt with proud ratification that they had
heard for once in their lives, the voice that had awakened the admiration of
the western world”.

Catherine Hayes was held in such high regard that the town
of Grass Valley in California has Kate Hayes St, named after the performer
herself. She died in 1861 and is buried in Kensal Green in London. Her grave
was restored with the help of Limerick Civic Trust in 2007.

The St Mary’s Cathedral concert fundraiser will feature
some of the music that Catherine Hayes is most associated with. Audiences can expect aria that Catherine
Hayes would have been associated with along with song pieces that were actually
composed for her. A mix of operatic and classical Irish repertoire.

Colette Davis will act as musical director on the evening
with support coming from the Voices of Limerick, harpist Aisling Lyons and some
special guests.

Tickets for the concert can be
purchased at www.uch.ie or www.dolans.ie or alternatively by contacting University
Concert Hall at 061-331549 or Dolans ticketline on 061-314483. For more
information on Sarah Dolan go to www.sarahdolansoprano.com

]]>http://nigeldugdale.ie/2016/04/25/new-production-to-celebrate-life-of/feed/0Audience support crucial to success of new Belltablehttp://nigeldugdale.ie/2016/04/14/audience-support-crucial-to-success-of/
http://nigeldugdale.ie/2016/04/14/audience-support-crucial-to-success-of/#respondThu, 14 Apr 2016 12:17:00 +0000http://nigeldugdale.ie/2016/04/14/audience-support-crucial-to-success-of/The re-launch last week of the Belltable venue in the city centre is another step forward in terms of the positive development of Limerick’s cultural fabric. As we prepare for the final stage of the Limerick 2020 bid, this development is particularly meaningful. This small, intimate venue has punched above its weight over the past …

]]>
The re-launch last week of the Belltable venue in the city centre is another step forward in terms of the positive development of Limerick’s cultural fabric. As we prepare for the final stage of the Limerick 2020 bid, this development is particularly meaningful.

This small, intimate venue has punched above its weight over the past few decades and, despite a momentary hiccup, continues to act as a venue close to the hearts of many across the city and county.

Marketa Dowling speaking at the launch of the Belltable

Marketa Dowling has taken on the role of programme manager at this exciting time in the venue’s history. In her previous role as General Manager and Producer at Fishamble Dowling took this iconic company through difficult times in terms of cultural funding and audience development. Her swansong, in some senses, was the remarkable achievement in picking up an Olivier award for the production of Silent.

Speaking to Dowling you get a strong sense that she is a dedicated team player. The collaboration seen at Fishamble that resulted in the Olivier award is testament to that.

Dowling says she is ‘humbled and privileged’ to be taking on the role of programme manager at the Belltable. She arrives into her new role with a vision to continue to develop the venue as a leading advocate of local and national art practitioners but also as a space that can attract many leading international artists to Limerick.

Most exciting is her plans to develop what she calls ‘Belltable: Connect’, an initiative that will see the former Sarsfield Credit Union Building acting a centre for artistic collaboration, mentorship and mentorship for local artists.

Dowling is deeply keen to develop a cultural space that allows artists to learn from, feed from and guide each other in their cultural practice. The Belltable will become a dynamic space not just for live performances and exhibitions but a space that aims to become the cultural hub of our city centre.

It is proven that clustering creative minds in one space allows the creative process to thrive. Dowling is a strong believer in the value of the artistic community and is clearly committed to facilitating the Limerick arts community in an open, energetic and collaborative space.

Dowling will be supported well by the new board of the Belltable. The coming together of our various cultural practitioners over the past few years should also make her role that bit easier. There is a great sense that people want culture in its various forms to thrive in this city.

As the Belltable looks towards what should prove to be a very dynamic period of rebirth it is crucial that audiences now give it a chance. Whilst funding conversations are often had in terms of Arts Council of local authority funding what is often overlooked is the vital role committed audiences play in sustaining our cultural venues and community.

If Limerick 2014 showed anything is showed there is an audience out there. Now it is time for that audience to support and encourage the Belltable in its new guise.